Freelance - Senior Tech Talent Acquisition Specialist

Quandela stands as a global leader in quantum computing, driven by groundbreaking technology and a strategic vision for scaling quantum solutions. The company’s unique ability to offer both hardware and software solutions, along with its commitment to build energy efficient datacenters and scalability, positions it to play a key role in the next wave of innovation, and in many strategic and sovereign industrial sectors. 

As a strategic partner, Quandela is revolutionizing various industrial sectors including energy, finance, pharmaceuticals, and transportation, while also collaborating closely with the academic and research communities.

• After a successful €50 million fundraising round in 2023, we are ramping up our commercial opportunities alongside our ongoing research endeavors.
• We are proud participants in the French Tech 2030 program, aimed at supporting French companies driving groundbreaking innovations.

Are you ready to contribute to our rapid growth and talent acquisition strategy?

Quandela is seeking a Senior Freelance Talent Acquisition Specialist to join our team and help us attract top scientific and engineering talent in the quantum technology sector.

As a Freelance Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, you will play a key role in supporting Quandela’s hiring strategy during a period of strong growth.
Working closely with scientific leadership, engineering managers, technical teams and HR, you will focus primarily on recruiting highly specialized profiles across quantum technologies, photonics, hardware, software, R&D and deeptech engineering.

This role requires strong technical sourcing capabilities, experience hiring rare and international talent, and the ability to engage both industry experts and academic profiles, including PhDs, researchers, scientists and senior engineers.

The role is designed as a part-time freelance engagement, 3 days per week.

Key Responsibilities

* Recruitment delivery

Manage end-to-end recruitment for key scientific and engineering roles, including:

• Scientists and researchers in quantum technologies, photonics, physics, optics and related fields
• Quantum engineers, photonics engineers, optical engineers and experimental physicists
• Hardware, electronics, mechanical, systems and test engineers
• Software engineers working on deeptech, scientific computing, control systems, embedded systems or quantum software
• Industrialization, QA, project management and technical operations profiles
• Other highly specialized R&D and engineering roles depending on hiring priorities

Partner closely with hiring managers to understand technical requirements, define role priorities and ensure an efficient recruitment process from briefing to offer stage.

* Sourcing & candidate pipeline development

Develop proactive sourcing strategies to identify rare scientific and engineering talent across international markets.

Source candidates from deeptech ecosystems, research labs, universities, academic networks, conferences, specialized communities and relevant industry players.

Leverage modern sourcing tools, AI-based solutions and market mapping techniques to identify, approach and engage high-potential candidates.

Build and maintain strong talent pipelines for critical scientific and technical roles, especially for niche and hard-to-fill positions.

Conduct screening interviews to assess motivation, technical fit, career drivers and alignment with Quandela’s mission and culture.

* Talent acquisition process improvement

Contribute to structuring and improving Quandela’s recruitment processes for scientific and engineering hiring, including:

• Designing technical role scorecards with hiring managers
• Clarifying evaluation criteria for scientific, engineering and R&D profiles
• Supporting hiring managers in interview preparation and candidate evaluation
• Ensuring a high-quality candidate experience, especially for senior and international candidates

* Reporting and market intelligence

Maintain clear recruitment metrics and regular reporting on pipeline quality, sourcing activity, conversion rates and hiring progress.

Monitor market trends in quantum technologies, photonics, deeptech, R&D and engineering talent markets.

Provide insights to leadership and hiring managers on candidate availability, compensation benchmarks, competitive talent pools and sourcing strategies.

Profile

We are looking for someone with:

• Proven experience in Talent Acquisition (8years +) , in deeptech, hardware, software, R&D, quantum, photonics, AI, semiconductor, aerospace or another highly technical environment
• Strong experience recruiting scientists, PhD-level profiles, researchers and engineers
• Excellent sourcing skills and ability to identify rare talent internationally
• Ability to understand complex technical roles and translate them into effective sourcing and assessment strategies
• Experience working closely with technical hiring managers and senior leadership
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage candidates from both academic and industry backgrounds
• Familiarity with modern sourcing tools, ATS platforms and AI-enabled recruitment workflows
• Fluency in English; French is a plus

Engagement

• Freelance contract
• Part-time: 3 days per week
• Focus: scientific, engineering and deeptech recruitment
• Location: hybrid or remote, depending on business needs and candidate location

Profile

We are looking for an experienced recruiter who is comfortable working in fast-growing technology environments and hiring internationally.

Required experience

• 8+ years of experience in Talent Acquisition, ideally in deeptech, and startup environments
• Proven experience recruiting international Tech profiles
• Strong sourcing expertise, including LinkedIn and modern sourcing tools
• Experience using AI tools to improve sourcing, screening, and interview reporting
• Excellent communication skills in English (French is a plus)
• Ability to work autonomously as a freelance partner

Strong advantages

• Experience recruiting engineering profiles (Software, DevOps, QA, QML Engineer, Quantum Scientist, etc.)
• Experience helping structure Talent Acquisition processes in scale-ups
• Familiarity with ATS selection and implementation

You will join a fast-growing deeptech startup based in Massy (Paris area), with the ambition to build the first useful quantum computer.

At Quandela, you will work in a highly international and multidisciplinary environment, bringing together scientists, engineers, and business experts from more than 15 nationalities.

This role combines on-site collaboration and flexibility, with an expected presence of:

• 1-2 days per week in Massy
• 1 day per week in Paris

Our teams value knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation, offering an environment where you can contribute directly to the growth of a groundbreaking technology company.